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Topic Review (Newest First)

05-15-2014 10:49 PM

jrennie15

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinh

What a horror story. I feel really bad for your dog. I don't know you or the details to your situation due to the vague details you provided. But just reading your story and thinking about you dog I am almost heart broken. Hopefully you can get past this or find a great companion for your dog to go live with.

It made me sad reading it too. No offense to the OP but if you haven't shown any interest in her, why would you expect her to be interested in you just because you think she should? Give her some love and attention and she will be interested because she wants that love and attention. Good luck

05-14-2014 02:36 PM

huntergreen

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRen616

If she is unruly on a leash then buy a prong collar and fit it correctly.

Yes, she should learn how to properly walk on a leash without having to use a prong collar but since you can't really walk her right now with how she behaves then I would get a prong collar and start there. Walking her will help form a bond as well as working on basic obedience using food since she is food motivated. Get her some toys and play with her in the yard.

great advice and picture.

05-14-2014 02:27 PM

lovemygirl

There is hope -- my girl was abused, neglected, and 4+ years old when I adopted her, and she bonded to me very deeply and powerfully. Just takes time. Obedience training, playing (catch, fetch, tug, etc) and nosework (starting with games, like "which hand?") are excellent, safe ways to bond. As far as walking on a leash - I'd try to walk on a leash in a safe, enclosed, secure yard first. Since she is not bonded to you strongly and doesn't have obedience training (recall), one of the worst things that could happen would be her tearing the leash from your hand or popping out of her collar. ALWAYS use a backup collar on this dog until she is 100% on recall -- use 2 separate collars or a collar and a harness and attach them both to your leash with a coupler (found in any pet store for $9 to $12; it's a tool that allows a dog-walker to walk 2 dogs at once).

Make sure every time she sees you, it's a happy event. Everytime she looks at you, give her a treat and/or lots of praise, to start with. She has to start associating you with happy times

05-14-2014 01:56 PM

blackshep

Your post is a bit vague, so I could be making assumptions, and if that is the case, I apologize.

I'm not sure what you mean by your 'social situation'? If you mean you don't have time because you have engagements with your friends, you should maybe consider giving up some nights out in favour of working with your dog.

This is a breed that bonds really deeply with their people, they are highly intelligent and high energy and NEED interaction with their people. So if she's acting aloof toward you, I can only guess that you spend very little, to no time with her.

This isn't fair to the dog. You need to find a way to make time for her, or get her into a home where they do take the time.

If her only interest in you is food/treats, then use that for training. That's what most of us do and there's nothing wrong with that. Or find a toy she likes and get her working for that.

There's no reason you can't turn this ship around, but you need to get into a new routine and plug in with your dog. Being an outside dog does not mean you abandon training and working with them.

Try to find a trainer to come work with you, maybe see if you can find a sport you guys can participate in. I never thought I'd end up doing dog sports, but I got into it after getting my GSD and I'm having a blast and so is my dog.

So having said that - Don't get frustrated, get determined.

There's no reason at all that this situation can't get better, it is just going to take some work. Things will probably start to improve dramatically in a very short period of time, if you really buckle down and get to work. These dogs love to work as a team, once she realizes you guys are having fun together, I'm sure everything will change.

Best of luck and I hope you'll keep us posted on your progress!

05-14-2014 01:38 PM

wyoung2153

I too am curious why you haven't interacted with her more when she was outside. Living in a kennel outside isn't a death sentence and you could have still given her training and guidance. I have no clue the situation due to vague details, so sorry if that is offensive.

I'd definitely get you both to a good trainer and start with the basics. You need to build your bond and trust with eachother again. It can be done, you just have to be consistent.

How do you currently interact with her?

05-14-2014 12:48 PM

pineconeforestGSD

keep trying and NEVER give up. spend as much time as you can with her. its NEVER too late to start training. forgive yourself and move forward.ASAP.

As someone mentioned deal with the dog you "have" not the dog you "had"!

05-14-2014 11:44 AM

devinh

What a horror story. I feel really bad for your dog. I don't know you or the details to your situation due to the vague details you provided. But just reading your story and thinking about you dog I am almost heart broken. Hopefully you can get past this or find a great companion for your dog to go live with.

05-14-2014 11:01 AM

LaRen616

If she is unruly on a leash then buy a prong collar and fit it correctly.

Yes, she should learn how to properly walk on a leash without having to use a prong collar but since you can't really walk her right now with how she behaves then I would get a prong collar and start there. Walking her will help form a bond as well as working on basic obedience using food since she is food motivated. Get her some toys and play with her in the yard.

05-14-2014 10:31 AM

huntergreen

if folks can adopt dogs and establish a bond so can you. takes time and effort. first thing to do is leash training.

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